BOX SCORE
The Maryville women's basketball team opened the second half with a decisive 15-2 burst to key a 65-56 victory at Saint Leo Wednesday afternoon in Florida. Shelby Miller led the way with 18 points, and Abby Duethman recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds as the Saints claimed their first road win.
The score was tied at 27 after the first 20 minutes of action until Miller drained a 3-pointer to push the Saints on top for good. Duethman scored inside, and Rita Flynn added one free throw. Miller sank a bucket to build a 35-27 lead just over three minutes into the second half. The Lions finally scored their first points of the second half, but the Saints answered with a 7-0 burst. JoAnn Thompson sparked the run with a trey, and Kate Childs and Duethman sank consecutive jumpers as Maryville scored on three straight possessions to take a 42-29 lead at the 14:53 mark.
The Saints were up by 10 before Angela Pepowski converted two straight baskets to give Maryville its biggest lead of the day at 50-36 near the midpoint of the second half. After another hoop by Pepowski, the Saints still led 56-42. The Lions cut into the deficit and made one last charge. Saint Leo held Maryville without a point for four minutes and got as close as 56-50 with four minutes left to play.
Childs finally snapped the Saints' drought for an eight-point lead. The Lions again inched to within six points before Maryville grabbed back-to-back offensive rebounds leading to Flynn hitting two free throws for a 60-52 lead with 50 seconds left. Saint Leo scored on its next possession but Duethman sank four straight from the line, and Miller added one one more charity toss to seal the win.
Miller hit half of her field goal attempts, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range, en route to her season best output of 18 points. Duethman hauled down 11 defensive boards while registering her third double-double of the year. Pepowski was a huge lift off the bench and made all five of the attempts from the field to record a season-high 10 points. Asia Wilson topped Saint Leo with 14 points. The Saints sank eight 3-pointers while holding the Lions to just one trey.
Maryville improves to 4-6, while the Lions drop to 6-4. The Saints are next in action Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, when they host Lewis in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Moloney Arena.